Brisbane

• Top Student Cities: Brisbane and Gold Coast are ranked among the top 100 QS Best Student Cities for 2025.
• International Student Community: Queensland hosts 73,000 international students from over 158 countries.

Specialist Disciplines:

• Marine science
• Ecotourism
• Agribusiness
• Tropical health and medicine
• Biological science
• Built environment

Key Industries:

• Education and training
• Energy and resources
• Financial and professional services
• Food and agribusiness
• Health and biomedical
• Tourism and hospitality
• Urban development and infrastructure

Outdoor Adventures:

• Swim in the lagoons of K’gari (Fraser Island)
• Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef
• Visit waterfalls in Springbrook National Park
• Surf at Coolangatta

Regions to Explore:

• Sunshine Coast
• Rockhampton, Mackay, Greater Whitsunday region
• Townsville and Cairns, connected by the Great Barrier Reef

About Brisbane

Brisbane, ranked among the top 30 best student cities globally (QS Best Student Cities 2023), offers a dynamic and cosmopolitan lifestyle with warm weather and an outdoor lifestyle.

A Snapshot of Brisbane:

Major Education Providers:

• Griffith University
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Queensland
• Central Queensland University
• James Cook University
• Australian Catholic University
• University of Southern Queensland
• Torrens University
• TAFE Queensland

Population:

• Over 2.5 million

Growth:

• One of Australia’s fastest-growing capital cities in terms of population and employment

Key Industries:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Construction and infrastructure
• Digital industries and ICT
• Energy and resources
• Food and agribusiness

Cultural Scene:

• Rich in arts and entertainment with concerts, exhibitions, and theatre
• Vibrant nightlife with live music venues, bars, and clubs
• Enjoy the ‘CityCat’ ferry along Brisbane River to explore New Farm Park, Southbank, and Kangaroo Point

Studying in Queensland means you’ll experience an ideal blend of high-quality education and an exciting lifestyle.

Additional Study Locations in Queensland

Brisbane: Queensland’s capital city, known for its vibrant cultural scene and diverse education options. Major institutions include the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University. Brisbane offers a dynamic city life and numerous job opportunities.

Gold Coast: Famous for its stunning beaches and outdoor lifestyle. Key education providers are Griffith University, Bond University, and Torrens University. The city offers a relaxed atmosphere with a strong focus on tourism, hospitality, and health industries.

Sunshine Coast: A growing region just an hour from Brisbane, offering institutions like the University of the Sunshine Coast and CQ University Australia. Known for its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities, it provides a mix of education and leisure with a focus on sport, science, and tourism.

Toowoomba: Positioned inland, Toowoomba is known for its gardens and agricultural focus. The University of Southern Queensland and TAFE Queensland are major education providers. It offers a lower cost of living and a strong community atmosphere, with opportunities for casual employment and regional benefits for international students.

Cairns: Located in Far North Queensland, Cairns is renowned for its tropical environment and specialized programs in marine science and tropical medicine. Education providers include James Cook University and CQ University Australia. The city is known for its affordable living and access to natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is renowned for its stunning beaches, warm climate, and vibrant outdoor lifestyle. With over 50 kilometres of coastline and numerous national parks, the area offers activities like surfing, hiking, snorkelling, paddle boarding, and swimming.

A Snapshot of the Gold Coast

Education Providers:

• Griffith University
• Bond University
• Torrens University
• Gold Coast TAFE

Population:

• Over 732,000

Iconic Beaches:

• 57 kilometres of beaches with an average water temperature of 22°C

Study Options:

• The Gold Coast features a variety of educational institutions, including major universities, English language schools, and vocational training providers.

Lifestyle and Economy:

• Known for its relaxed beach lifestyle, the Gold Coast is ranked among the top 100 QS Best Student Cities (2023).
• It has a robust economy with job opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and healthcare.

Sunshine Coast

Located just an hour from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, offering top-notch educational opportunities.

A Snapshot of the Sunshine Coast

Education Providers:

• University of the Sunshine Coast
• CQ University Australia
• TAFE Queensland

Population:

• Over 330,000

Scenic Attractions:

• White sand beaches, lush rainforests, and Heritage-listed national parks

Study Focus Areas:

• Sport, science, tourism, and event management
• Major events offer hands-on learning and job opportunities

Facilities:

• Advanced training centers such as the Sunshine Coast Health Institute and Sunshine Coast University Hospital

Lifestyle:

• Combines relaxation and adventure with stunning beaches, hiking, water sports, and lively local events
• Welcoming and safe community

For more information on studying in the Sunshine Coast, visit the Study Queensland website.

Toowoomba

Toowoomba, one of Australia’s largest inland cities, is located 90 minutes from Brisbane and is surrounded by natural beauty, including national parks and waterfalls.

A Snapshot of Toowoomba

Education Providers:

• University of Southern Queensland
• TAFE Queensland
• QANTAS Pilot Academy

Population:

• Over 130,000

Notable Features:

• Known as the ‘Garden City’ for its beautiful parks and gardens
• Hosts the annual Carnival of Flowers festival each Spring

Study and Employment:

• Situated in a rich agricultural region with opportunities for casual work
• Education providers are well-regarded, and international students can benefit from up to four years of post-study residency and employment

Community and Lifestyle:

• Strong, friendly community with many local events and initiatives
• Lower housing and living costs compared to larger nearby cities
• Great central location for exploring the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast

Toowoomba offers a blend of natural beauty, excellent education, and a welcoming community.

Cairns

Cairns, known for its unique environment, offers specialized studies in fields like marine science and tropical medicine.

A Snapshot of Cairns

Education Providers:

• James Cook University
• CQ University Australia
• TAFE Queensland
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine College

Population:

• Over 156,000

Iconic Environment:

• Home to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest

Study Focus Areas:

• Tropical health and medicine, agriculture, marine science, aviation, tourism, hospitality, engineering, and creative arts

Lifestyle:

• Affordable living with a vibrant tourism industry providing job opportunities
• Enjoy a mix of world-class dining, bars, shops, and cultural events
• Active lifestyle with activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, rainforest exploration, and waterfall swimming

Cairns offers a blend of quality education, cultural diversity, and a lively, affordable lifestyle.